Remote Climate Research Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

The Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section is responsible for supporting the agency Director as the designated Governor's Representative managing Colorado River negotiations and issues within the basin.

The position will work closely with an internal team as well as colleagues across the basin and the Bureau of Reclamation in managing data and performing quality control for a variety of Colorado River issues. The position's duties overlap with the public policy pertaining to the future management of the Colorado River.

Ideal candidates will have a background in water policy and management. Additional relevant experience may include surface hydrology and climatology. The ability to translate data and scenarios into possible future management policy is an essential function of this position. The candidate will work closely with the Deputy Assistant Director in ADWR's Colorado River Section as well as ADWR leadership.

A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is presently required.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

This position works under the supervision of the Deputy Assistant Director for the Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section. At full functionality, the person in this position will be responsible for:

• Preparing materials to support the agency Director's participation in high-level policy meetings and programs with the federal government, representatives of the seven Basin States, and other stakeholders;
• Providing Colorado River strategic policy analysis and recommendations to the Director and Deputy Director;
• Preparing presentations, reports and testimony for various entities, including committees, boards and commissions;
• Assisting the Director's office communications team in responding to press inquiries and producing website and social media content;
• Monitoring and staffing the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program;
• Performing the supervisory function for the Department's participation and, when appropriate, participating in the environmental and biological programs for the Colorado River Basin, including the Multi-Species Conservation Program and the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program;
• Evaluating potential impact relating to compliance with applicable Federal and State environmental laws, rules and regulations;
• Assisting in the management and administration of system conservation agreements;
• Advising the Director regarding the Department's recommendations to the US Bureau of Reclamation relating to conveyance and assignment applications;
• Participating in policy and technical meetings with stakeholders and other Basin States colleagues to model hydrologic and water use conditions for the future of the Colorado River;
• Implementing new storage and conservation program accounting following the adoption of post-2026 Guidelines; 
• Analyzing reservoir storage, management strategies, hydrologic conditions, and water use demands throughout the Colorado River Basin to determine the projected amount of Colorado River water available for use in Arizona;
• Providing technical support for binational modeling and negotiations with Mexico;
• Coordinating the Recovery Planning Advisory Group, including managing meeting invitations, supporting policy decisions for the recovery of Long-Term Storage Credits with the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Central Arizona Water Conservation District; and
• Supervising two or more staff including the Contracts and Entitlements Specialist responsible for analyzing and processing conveyance applications requested by Colorado River Entitlement Holders within Arizona .

Knowledge of:

• Hydrologic principles including Arizona hydrology.
• Colorado River supply and demand and the Central Arizona Project;
• Socio-economic and ecological aspects of water supply and utilization.
• Laws, treaties, court decrees, and rules/regulations pertaining to water apportionment use and allocation, particularly Colorado River water across the Basin, including Indian Water Rights Settlements.
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation methodology for water accounting.
• Utilization of numerical groundwater flow models and data analysis in policy formation.
• Climate change and climate modeling principles.
• Water quality and salinity.
• Standard and innovative techniques for solving a variety of groundwater problems including numerical and statistical analysis, database use and design, GIS, and general computer use.
• The nature, occurrence, and behavior of surface water and groundwater.
• Collection and analysis of data and the interpretation of hydrologic data and systems.

Skills in:

• Policy and technical analysis.
• Experience with MS PowerPoint.
• Negotiations and conflict resolution.
• Verbal and written communications.
• Project planning and organization.
• Maintaining effective working relationships.

Ability to:

• Coordinate with other governmental entities and the public.
• Understand complex water resources data and analyses and communicate effectively with other technical and policy staff.
• Coordinate with other governmental entities and the public.
• Understand complex water resources data and analyses and communicate effectively with other technical and policy staff.
• Provide technical assistance related to the Colorado River Program.
• Analyze water resources modeling programs and output from models such as RiverWare.
• Analyze, negotiate, and recommend changes and/or to point out issues that may adversely affect state interest.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public in general and with other entities.
• Maintain confidentiality .

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts 
• Flexible work schedule

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement system (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. The Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.